History in the Neighborhood: Dangberg Ranch

South Tahoe Now is starting a new series of stories about historical places to visit, all within a couple of hours drive from South Lake Tahoe.

The Sierra Nevada and Carson Valley are rich in history. I knew this growing up, but never really appreciated it until I was well into adulthood. Having lived in South Lake Tahoe for over 35 years , I continue to learn about the area’s history and historical points of interest, and appreciate the previous residents more every day.

About four years ago, during a meeting of my Tahoe Douglas Rotary Club, member Conrad Beudel shared with us his book, Lost Legacy of Carson Valley: The Rise and Fall of the H. F. Dangberg Ranching Empire. The book is a great collection of stories and photos, and a look into a bygone era.

The co-author, Steve Achard, who was also a member of the club, is the great-grandson of H.F. Dangberg, who came to the valley from Germany in 1846. Dangberg was one of the first settlers in the Carson Valley. From small beginnings with an 1857 homestead claim, the Dangberg ranch grew into the large Dangberg Land & Live Stock Co. With holdings eventually encompassing 48,000 acres, the Dangbergs came to dominate Carson Valley ranching in the 20th century and were influential in the region’s development.

Do you know the connection between the Carson Valley, the Dangbergs and the Ferris Wheel? George Ferris invented the Ferris Wheel and unveiled at the 1893 Chicago World’s fair. The ride was inspired by a water wheel at Cradlebaugh Bridge on the Carson River. During the time he lived in Carson Valley, young George Ferris spent hours watching the motion of the big water wheel, imaginably dreaming of riding around on one of its buckets. Ferris’s daughter Margaret was married to H.F. Dangberg.

Today, the Dangberg Ranch is open for events and tours from April 1 through October 31 though one can visit year round with reservations. Docents lead tours through the ranch house and reveal it’s history through stories. There are family friendly events held at the ranch all summer long, from concerts on the lawn, kite flying, melodramas, a Chautauqua series, Ferris Family speakers and much more. Historian, and former South Lake Tahoe resident, Kim Copel now runs the ranch’s special events so this year’s schedule should be a good one.

The Dangberg Home Ranch Historic Park curator, Mark Jensen, will tell the story of the Dangberg family, their ranching and business ventures, and their contribution to the development of Carson Valley from the 1850s through the 1970s at the South Lake Tahoe Library on March 14.

He’ll have a slide presentation showing artifacts, documents and photographs from the Dangberg Home Ranch Historic Park collection which provide insight into the private lives of four generations of Dangbergs.. The program starts at 1 p.m.

Whether you make the trip to Minden for a tour, a concert, or both, you won’t be disappointed. The ranch is located at 1450 Highway 88.